Canzano: Why I like the Trail Blazers’ trade for Kent Bazemore

Portland Trail Blazers play the Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24), takes control of a loose ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0), at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, January 20, 2016. Thomas Boyd/Staff LC- Thomas BoydLC- Thomas Boyd

The Trail Blazers got a little better this week, not just by introducing its prized first-round draft pick, but by trading away Evan Turner for a player who helps in a few small, but important, ways.

Getting Kent Bazemore from Atlanta did some things for Portland.

Not necessarily in order...

A) Bazemore is a better outside shooter than Turner. Shoots at a higher percentage, has made more, and on a given night is capable of helping punish defenses that over-commit to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

B) One NBA executive told me on Monday that trading for Bazemore doesn’t allow free-agent Rodney Hood to “hold up” the Blazers this summer. Bazemore is a healthy insurance policy against Hood, who is likely to command more interest than Portland wants to deal with. I like the trade because it addressed that developing problem, head on.

C) The arrival of Bazemore announced that it’s graduation day for 20-year old guard Anfernee Simons. Simons will get the back-up point guard minutes. I suspect the Blazers believe deeply in Simons or they wouldn’t have made this move.

D) Bazemore is a good defender and a great locker-room guy. When you hold it up in conjunction with the developing Zach Collins and the high-motor defensive-minded draft pick (Nassir Little), what forms is a Portland team that might be super interesting on defense at times next season.

E) When the Hawks gave Bazemore a $70 million contract, it was historic. It marked the largest contract a non-drafted player had ever negotiated in the NBA. There’s been a lot of talk about this deal being one bad contract exchanged for another. But that’s a knee-jerk face value reaction that doesn’t give this trade merit. Yes, Turner’s $70 million deal signed in the summer of 2016 by the Blazers was awful. Both he and Bazemore make way too much for players who aren’t guaranteed starters. But Bazemore offers Portland much more than keeping Turner could have... gives Simons minutes, offers insurance against losing Hood and makes the team a little better on the court.

F) Trade grade for Portland... B+.

What did you think of the deal?

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